Northwest Vision and Media, create the bigger picture
Reaction to Government\'s Salford decision
REACTION TO THE GOVERNMENT’S ANNOUNCEMENT ON SALFORD MOVE
NORTH West Vision today welcomed the Government
announcement that plans for the BBC’s Move North are to go
ahead.
Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, told the Commons that the 3%
licence fee increase over the next two years would allow the
planned move of 1,500 jobs from London to Salford, Greater
Manchester.
Alice Morrison, Chief Executive for North West Vision, said the
agency had lobbied hard for the BBC to adhere to its pledge to
re-locate Children’s, Sport, Future Media and Five Live to
Mediacity: UK in 2010.
“We have continued to offer our support and advice throughout the BBC’s decision process. Now that this important milestone has been reached we will be working with the BBC, and its partners, to ensure we maintain the momentum. We are determined to continue to grow and sustain the media industry across the region,” says Alice.
“This is the best possible announcement for the Northwest as the BBC's relocation to Salford and Mediacity:UK will create hundreds of jobs and opportunities for local talent, and will have a huge impact on the economy. It will also help to redress the current London-centric BBC bias,” she adds.
Filming across the Northwest is currently at an all time high. North West Vision has five Film Offices located across the region, with the Manchester Film Office recording a huge increase in location filming last year.
“This can be partly attributed to the BBC's commitment to move to Salford, together with the benefits of our Regional Attraction Fund, a £1 million annual initiative designed to grow and sustain a strong TV and digital infrastructure in the region,” explains Alice Morrison.
“Now that the BBC’s Move North has finally been endorsed by the Government, we look forward to continuing our work with Salford City Council, the NWDA and other regional and national partners, to ensure that we all play an integral role in the development of the new site at Mediacity: UK,” she adds.
Bryan Gray, Chairman, Northwest Regional Development Agency and
Chair of the Mediacity:UK steering group, adds:
“Today’s announcement is excellent news for both the
North of England and for the UK. The confirmation that the BBC will
bring together several departments in Salford as the anchor tenant
for Mediacity:UK and create the largest BBC presence outside of
London is a massive boost for creative industries in the UK.
"Mediacity:UK is an ambitious scheme to create an internationally
competitive media hub that will provide employment for 15,500
people and add £200m every year in additional net value to
the regional economy. The BBC will be an integral part of that.
"The move is testament to the dedication and hard work of all the partners behind the Mediacity:UK consortium. It’s up to us now to move swiftly to deliver this innovative project and encourage other creative and digital talent to Salford Quays.”
